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Dear Neighbors,

We just wrapped up another deadline week in the House, where I passed 5 bills out of committee.

• HB5390: Helps prevent medical debt and financial hardship by closing billing loopholes in charity care.

• HB4707: Part of a package of bills to respond to chronic payment and contract delays by the state to non-profits delivering essential work.

• HB5317: Tackles abandoned underground storage tanks to keep our communities safe from environmental hazards

• HB4651: clarifies procurement rules for IDOT to keep projects moving

• HB5071: brings the Illinois Toll Highway Authority in line with other agencies by establishing bilingual pay for employees

With only two months of spring session left, we will be starting to debate more legislation in the full house. If there are any specific bills you would like more information about, please don’t hesitate to reach out: info@repdagmara.org or 815-372-0085.

Warmly,

State Representative Dagmara Avelar
Illinois House District 85

NEW GRANTS ANNOUNCED

Kitty Fund Mompreneur Business Grant

Program Details: Open nationwide to those who identify as a Mom business owner, have at least 1 year in business, have 2-100 employees, and business annual revenue does not exceed $5M

Application Deadline: April 14, 2026

2026 Vilcek Foundation Grants

Program Details: The Vilcek Foundation invites applications from eligible nonprofit organizations whose mission or programs focus on supporting immigrant contributions in the arts, sciences, culture, and society.” Open nationwide to 501(c)3 nonprofits.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2026 at 10:59pm

Intuit Quickbooks & Mailchimp: Small Business Hero Program

Program Details: Celebrate a small business in your community. Nominate a small business who has shown courage, perseverance and integrity…”. Open nationwide to entities (for profit business or nonprofit – 501(c)3) who have been established for at least one year.

Application Deadline: May 15, 2026 at 10:59pm

Illinois Access to Justice Program (ILA2J)

Program Details: ILA2J is an Illinois statewide program that directs funds to mitigate the devastating consequences of incarceration and harsh immigration policies by expanding effective and holistic community-based legal services to vulnerable communities, training Community Navigators to conduct mass know-your-rights education and outreach, sharing best practices among partner organizations to increase their local capacity to deliver effective services, and reintegrating the most vulnerable populations into their families, communities, and workforce.

Distribution of funds will seek to advance equity and programmatic coverage throughout the state. Funding will be provided statewide in proportion to affected communities.

FUNDING CATEGORIES
The ILA2J program will solicit proposals from nonprofit organizations to support and expand services in four main categories:        

1. Legal Services: Communities Impacted by Immigration Policies 

2. Legal Services: Communities Impacted by Incarceration

3. Community Navigators: Communities Impacted by Immigration Policies

4. Community Navigators: Communities Impacted by Incarceration

Application Deadline: Intent to apply forms due April 17, full proposals due May 1, 2026 at 11:59pm

OUT & ABOUT IN MARCH

If you would like to invite me to an event, meeting, or tour of your facility, please reach out to my office at info@repdagmara.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS & RESOURCES

You can now add your Illinois ID to your Apple Wallet! For more information and an instructional video visit: ilsos.gov/mobile.

Starting February 1, 2026, new federal work requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) will take effect. Individuals who do not meet work requirements or qualify for an exemption will be limited to three months of SNAP benefits within a three-year period, with some individuals potentially losing benefits as early as May 1, 2026.

SNAP customers can check whether they are subject to work requirements, meeting them, or may qualify for an exemption by using the ABE: SNAP Work Requirements screener.

Previously, ABAWDs were defined as adults ages 18–54 without dependent children under 18 and without a disability. Under the new federal guidelines, work requirements will also apply to:

• Veterans

• Individuals aged 55–64 with no disabilities

• People experiencing homelessness

• ABAWDs with children aged 14 or older living at home

Although these changes were originally scheduled to begin December 1, 2025, a court order delayed implementation until February 1, 2026.  The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has sent initial notices and exemption forms to all current and new ABAWDs affected by these changes.

At this time, IDHS is not implementing federal changes to SNAP eligibility for noncitizens included in the federal budget bill and will continue to provide updates as federal guidance and litigation progress.

Ongoing updates are available at snapfederalimpact.illinois.gov.

Job Opportunities 

Secretary of State: Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office is now accepting applications for its fourth annual summer job program.

Approximately 120 paid positions are available for college, trade school and graduate students, as well as graduating high school seniors who will be enrolled in college or trade school in the fall. A limited program is also available for 25 high school students ages 16 and older. Positions are offered across the Secretary of State’s 25 departments and at DMV facilities throughout the state.

“Our summer job program gives students a chance to gain real-world experience while supporting the essential services our office provides to Illinois residents,” Giannoulias said. “Participants build practical skills, earn money and get an inside look at how public service can make a difference in their communities.”

Along with building job and people skills for students, the program bolsters the office’s customer service efforts during the busy summer months.

Positions are available at Secretary of State facilities in Chicago, the surrounding suburbs, Springfield and locations throughout downstate Illinois. High school students earn $17 per hour, while college and trade school students earn $18 per hour. Graduate and law school students in select contractual positions earn $25 per hour.

Applications will be accepted beginning March 12, 2026, at ilsos.gov/summerjobs. Applicants must submit a resume, completed application and a cover letter describing their interest in working at the Secretary of State’s office. Applicants may list up to three preferred work locations.

Summer employees can begin their employment as early as May 18, 2026.

Governor’s Office: The Senior Assistant to the Deputy Governor for Education
The Senior Assistant to the Deputy Governor for Education will:

• Assist in executing the governor’s administrative, legislative, and fiscal priorities from birth through postsecondary education

• Aid in managing the state’s P-20 Council

• Draft research briefs, memos, and presentations on salient topics, e.g. the use of artificial intelligence in k-12 public education and changes in federal education policy

• Collect, analyze, and visualize data from state agencies and external sources to support policy analysis, inform strategy, and communicate insights to internal and external stakeholders.

• Provide staff support for the State Attainment Working Group established by Executive Order 2026-03

• Assist in all duties associated with the recruitment and appointment of individuals to state boards and commissions

• Collaborate with state agency leadership and senior staff in five state agencies (IDEC, ISBE, ICCB, IBHE, and ISAC)

• Contribute to team-led events for the governor

• Support efforts to secure philanthropic support for team-led initiatives

• Prepare for and participate in meetings with external stakeholders

• Travel to Springfield and other parts of the state on occasion

• Perform other duties as assigned

More information here.

Save Money and Energy at Home! 

ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas have partnered to help single family homeowners and renters save money and energy through the Home Energy Savings offering, while also promoting sustainability. This program offers free home assessments, free and discounted energy-saving products, tips and resources tailored to your individual needs.

The Home Energy Savings program offers: 

• FREE virtual, in-person, or self-assessments to identify energy-saving opportunities.

• Ready-to-use products like LEDs, showerheads, faucet aerators and pipe insulation. Products such as smart thermostats, and advanced power-strips are free to income eligible customers.

• Free deeper home improvements like attic and wall insulation, and even equipment upgrades (e.g. A/C, boiler, furnace, hot water heater) for income qualifying customers.

• Free improvements to increase air quality and home comfort.

• Customized educational resources and referrals for further support

Get started with your free energy assessment here or by calling 855-660-9378.

211 Help Line

I encourage people to take advantage of the 211 line and website. 211 is powered by real people — trained specialists who work to identify and address the root causes of a client’s problem. That means from the first hello, someone in crisis is reaching a real person who can provide a connection to help. Get help with food, clothing, shelter, housing, rent/utility assistance, counseling, substance abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, transportation, support groups, senior services, aging parents, child care, employment, legal assistance, and health care.Text 898211 for help.

Know Your Rights Information

We have seen an increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in and around the 85th District. It is important to know that everyone has rights when dealing with ICE and law enforcement.

• You have the right to remain silent, not answer questions, and not sign any documents

• You have the right to ask to speak to an attorney

• You have the right to clearly state if you are afraid to go back to your country of origin

• You have the right to ask to speak with the consulate from your country of citizenship

If you need assistance due to ICE detention or to report any suspected ICE sightings, call the Illinois Family Support Network Hotline at 855-435-7693. To view various Know Your Rights documents, click here. I will continue to share updates via social media.

Food Pantries

• Bolingbrook

• Bolingbrook SDA Church Food Pantry- 301 E. Boughton Rd. Bolingbrook

  1. No ID required, no residency requirements

  2. The Compass Church Bolingbrook- 151 E. Briarcliff Rd. Bolingbrook

  3. Must live in 60440, 60490, 60446

     1. ID or current document showing name and address required

  4. 4 K.I.D.S Sake- 192 Lily Cache Ave. Bolingbrook

  5. ID required, no residency requirements

• Crest Hill

• Family Outreach Program- 1701 N Larkin, Crest Hill

  1. Must live in 60403, 60435, 60431

     1. ID or utility bill required

• Joliet

• Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet- Various locations

  1. Open to anyone in need

  2. My Pantry Express Pickup Center- 171 S. Larkin Ave. Joliet

  3. Must create a my pantry express account and place an order 

  4. MorningStar Mission- 364 East Washington St. Joliet

  5. Open to Will County residents

     1. ID required

  6. Who We Are - Joliet Salvation Army, - 300 3rd Ave, Joliet, (815) 726-4834

  7. Food Pantry | St. John Lutheran Church Food Pantry | United States, - 2650 Plainfield Rd, Joliet, 815-439-2320

• Lockport

• First Baptist Church Food Pantry- 800 Thornton St. Lockport

  1. Must be a Will County resident

     1. 2 forms of ID required

  2. Lockport FISH Food Pantry- 1463 Farrell Rd. Lockport

  3. Must live in Lockport or Homer Township

     1. ID and two documents with address on them required

     2. Must meet income requirements

  4. Fairmont Food Pantry- 525 Barry Ave. Lockport

  5. No ID required, asked to provide birthday and address

• Naperville

• Loaves and Fishes Naperville Grocery Market- 1871 High Grove Ln. Naperville

  1. Shoppers limited to 1 adult/household

     1. Must meet income requirements

     2. ID required

• Romeoville

• DuPage Township Food Pantry- 719 Parkwood Ave. Romeoville

  1. Must live in DuPage Township, ID required 

     1. Allows a proxy form for pick up

     2. Must meet income requirements

  2. Romeoville Community Pantry- 2 Belmont Dr. Romeoville

  3. Must live in Romeoville, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Lemont, Lockport, Crest Hill

     1. ID and recent utility bill required

  4. St. Andrew the Apostle We Care Pantry- 219 Arlington Dr. Romeoville

  5. Must live in Romeoville

     1. ID and utility bill required

• Woodridge

• West Suburban Food Pantry- 6809 Hobson Valley. Dr Ste 118 Woodridge

  1. Online market for delivery

     1. Must live in DuPage or Will County

     2. Account required to shop online or in person - can designate a proxy to pick up on your behalf

• Will County Micro Pantries

• Micro Pantries are designed to allow anonymous food pick-up for those in need, and a drop-off point for those who wish to help. Many micro pantries are accessible 24 hours a day.